Matthew Perry, the Friends actor who told the story of his troubled life in a bestselling memoir, has died at 54, the New York Times reports.

Perry, who was born in Massachusetts and raised in Canada, acted in television and films before being cast in the series Friends, which became one of the most successful sitcoms in television history. Perry played Chandler Bing, a sarcastic, insecure New Yorker who played his neuroses for laughs.

He struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction throughout much of his life, undergoing surgeries and stints in rehab as a result of his substance use. He wrote about his battle with substance use disorder in a 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. The book opens with “Hi, my name is Matthew, although you may know me by another name. My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead.”

The book became a bestseller, although reviews were mixed; a Kirkus critic called it “strictly for Perry’s fans.” It put Perry in the news again, and shocked fans unaware of the extent of his health problems, including near death from a burst colon. The memoir also caused a minor scandal after an excerpt from the book in which Perry insulted fellow actor Keanu Reeves circulated online.

Admirers of Perry paid tribute to him on social media. On X, formerly known as Twitter, actor Paget Brewster wrote, “I’m so very sad to hear about @MatthewPerry. He was lovely to me on Friends and every time I saw him in the decades after. Please read his book. It was his legacy to help. He won’t rest in peace though. He’s already too busy making everyone laugh up there.”

And singer Nancy Sinatra posted, “Happy trails to you, Matt. Thanks for being you. Wishing you a peaceful journey home through the stars. If you loved Matthew Perry as I did read his book. You will learn a lot about him.”

Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.